Seaton Park, Aberdeen
Seaton Park, one of Aberdeen’s largest public parks, sits in the Old Aberdeen area, rich in both history and nature. Purchased by the city in 1947, the park was once part of the Seaton House estate, which had been in the Hay family for generations. Major Malcolm Vivian Hay, a cryptographer and historian, sold the land, and though the house itself is now gone—burnt down in 1963—the park remains a cherished public space.
The River Don flows along the park’s edge, with paths tracing both banks, offering scenic walks. The park’s well-maintained flower beds, running along the central pathway, are replanted annually, providing a bright contrast to the surrounding greenery. Nestled within the grounds are secluded walled gardens near Seaton Stables, offering a peaceful retreat. However, due to its low-lying nature, the park is prone to flooding, leading to the creation of a wetland area in 2016, which now supports local wildlife.
Seaton Park holds historical treasures such as the Wallace Tower, a 17th-century structure that was relocated here in the 1960s, and a Bronze Age motte. Students from the nearby University of Aberdeen frequently traverse the park en route to Hillhead Halls of Residence, passing through Cathedral Walk, where vibrant rose and herbaceous beds lead to the iconic Saint Machar’s Cathedral.
One of the park’s most beloved features is "Mr Therm," a 1947 locomotive that once served the Aberdeen Gas Works. Now a fixture in the children’s playground, the steam engine has delighted generations and was refurbished in 2017.
With its blend of historical landmarks, lush gardens, and connections to Aberdeen’s academic life, Seaton Park remains a vital part of the city’s landscape.
The River Don flows along the park’s edge, with paths tracing both banks, offering scenic walks. The park’s well-maintained flower beds, running along the central pathway, are replanted annually, providing a bright contrast to the surrounding greenery. Nestled within the grounds are secluded walled gardens near Seaton Stables, offering a peaceful retreat. However, due to its low-lying nature, the park is prone to flooding, leading to the creation of a wetland area in 2016, which now supports local wildlife.
Seaton Park holds historical treasures such as the Wallace Tower, a 17th-century structure that was relocated here in the 1960s, and a Bronze Age motte. Students from the nearby University of Aberdeen frequently traverse the park en route to Hillhead Halls of Residence, passing through Cathedral Walk, where vibrant rose and herbaceous beds lead to the iconic Saint Machar’s Cathedral.
One of the park’s most beloved features is "Mr Therm," a 1947 locomotive that once served the Aberdeen Gas Works. Now a fixture in the children’s playground, the steam engine has delighted generations and was refurbished in 2017.
With its blend of historical landmarks, lush gardens, and connections to Aberdeen’s academic life, Seaton Park remains a vital part of the city’s landscape.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Aberdeen. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Seaton Park on Map
Sight Name: Seaton Park
Sight Location: Aberdeen, Scotland (See walking tours in Aberdeen)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Aberdeen, Scotland (See walking tours in Aberdeen)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Aberdeen, Scotland
Create Your Own Walk in Aberdeen
Creating your own self-guided walk in Aberdeen is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Aberdeen Introduction Walking Tour
The area where Aberdeen now sits has been inhabited by people for at least 8,000 years. The city that we now know as Aberdeen was first chartered in 1179. It was granted city status in 1891.
The city has been successful over the years due to vast granite deposits used for making sturdy buildings and fortifications. It was also known for its fishing, textile and paper-making industries. However,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The city has been successful over the years due to vast granite deposits used for making sturdy buildings and fortifications. It was also known for its fishing, textile and paper-making industries. However,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Aberdeen Old Town Tour
Established in 1489 as a separate burgh, Old Aberdeen was an important political, ecclesiastical and cultural center since the late Middle Ages. The locality merged with the rest of Aberdeen only in 1891. Today, the central part of the Old Town is a conservation area, characterized by well-preserved medieval dwellings and many other unique, vernacular structures of the 17th-early 19th centuries,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles